09/09/2024 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Select Board Minutes September 9, 2024 APPOINTMENTS &HEARINGS Public Hearing: J!Wosed Reclassification of the Southern Portion of the Great RiverFam y 5h .......I—,Southern qll.fisbing"Area, The Reclassification will desiLu�4 th Area as both Commercial and Family Shell fishipg: Shellfish Constable ............ Chnstqphpr Ayi's: Shellfish Constable Christopher Ayiq: a. Discussion and A I al of Reclassification of the Southern Portion of the Great River Family Shell,fishing Area. 1"he Reclassification,will,desigliAle this Area ashoth,C Commercial an ,FamilyShell fishing. _.- ......111111--Reclassification -1- _ p__ . d —_J (continued) The Select Board opened the Hearing to solicit comment. Joe Lyons of Whippoorwill Drive stated the reason for shellfish is to keep waters clean. Some areas are set aside for townspeople and other areas are set aside for those commercially licensed. Funds from the licensing supports the shellfish program. A site visit was conducted. There are reasonable amounts of quahogs and cherrystones in the family area, with less clams. Mr. Lyons recommended the Shellfish Constable take an inventory of the areas to fully verify the area. It was agreed the site under consideration is difficult to access requiring approaches to private lawn areas. There is concern regarding the proposal as bull-rakes tend to strip an area that may become unusable for at least two seasons. The only benefit to the proposal is for those with a commercial shellfish license. In closing Mr. Lyons indicated the property belongs to the townspeople. Mark Burtis stated he has no opposition to the proposal suggesting it's like a"shooting fish in the barrel theory." The Town of Mashpee shares the bay with the Town of Falmouth, and there is an expansive commercial area available. The bottom is pristine and prime for family shell fishing. A commercial license holder does not require a boat to access the site. Mr. Burtis indicated that roadways and/or pathways are critical for access and suggested the Town develop a fishing and foaling area where townspeople can park and walk to the site. Mr. Burtis added that if the site is shared with Falmouth, then why not with the Town of Barnstable. This is a natural body of water, and a good site to seed shellfish with a massive amount of commercial space, an overabundance. Mr. Burtis ended his comments by stating this is a management practice, and he would love to see more commercial permits. Jim Stowell was in attendance on behalf of South Cape Beach Estates voicing concern with regards to the environment and maintaining clean waters. The proposal incorporates two areas in this development. There is concern with respect to safety,to those trespassing to the access area, and concern to over-fishing and the re- seeding process. People kayak. What would happen if 15 commercial shellfish permit holders were onsite at the same time. Mr. Stowell states this should never be determined as a permanent solution. And,the residents should be involved in the process and provide input as to how this proposal will affect the residents. More information is required before this action can be endorsed. Richard Gorbaty indicated the Shellfish Commission has only been on this job for the past two years. The river is clean and pristine,you can see the bottom. What we have been doing for the past years has been working. Mr. Gorbaty suggested the Town pay someone to do the annual maintenance to clean up the older less productive shellfish. More boats add more pollution,more gas and water as well as shifting sands. The channel is quite narrow now and a larger boat would cause problems for everyone else who enjoy the river. The number one priority is to pre-serve Mashpee.